Digital separator



Feb. 2, 1965 R. B. MAGEE 3,168,095

DIGITAL SEPARATOR Filed March 20, 1963 .INVENTOR RICHAR D B. MAGEE A T'TO/PNEY.

United States Patent 3,168,095 DIGITAL SEPARATQR Richard 13. Magee, Altoona, Pa, assignor to Medi-Plastix (10., Inc, Altoona, Pin, a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 20, 1963, Ser. No. 266,652 2 Claims. (Ci. 128-8ll) This invention relates to improvements in digital separators, and more particularly concerns a device for separating gangrenous toes.

In the treatment of gangrene of the toe tips, it is generally considered that a conservative non-operative approach yields the best results in terms of saved digits and legs.

One of the basic procedures in treating gangrenous toes is to keep the toes separated from each other. This separation permits the cleansing of the area between the toes, and allows air to flow freely through the interdigital spaces.

Several methods of keeping the toes separated have met with some degree of success. These methods include the insertion into the inter-digital space of cotton, lambs wool, felt, and gauze. However, these materials either slipped into the lower portions of the inter-digital space, thereby reducing the circulation of air and causing laceration, or fell from between the toes.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved digital separator which stays in place between the digits, and which provides for free passage of air through the inter-digital spaces.

It is another object to provide such a separator which may be Worn by the patient with comfort, and which may be inserted between the digits and replaced easily.

It is another object to provide a digital separator which is adapted for use with inter-digital spaces of several sizes, is non-irritating to the skin, and is inexpensive.

Other objects and advantages of the invention, including its simplicity and economy, will further become apparent hereinafter and in the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a digital separator constructed in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 2 is a view showing two of the digital separators in place between the toes of a patient.

Although specific terms are used in the following description for clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to the structure shown in the drawings, and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention.

Turning now to the specific embodiment of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings, there is shown a digital separator which comprises a series of transverse separating members 114.3, and a longitudinally disposed connecting member 14 which extends between the separating members 11-13 to hold them in spaced-apart relationship and to provide air space therebetween.

Each separating member has concave sides which are adapted to be contacted by the convex surfaces of adjacent toes when inserted therebetween, such as is illustrated in FIG. 2. The adjacent toes hold the digital separator in place.

The separating members 11-13 decrease in width (the distance between concave sides 15) as the distance of the separating member from the largest such member increases. In other words, referring to FIG. 1, separating member 11 has the largest width, the width of member 12 is smaller than the width of member 11, and the width of member 13 is smaller than the width of member 12. This construction gives the digital separator a tapered effect, and it thereby fits better between adjacent toes. The smallest separating member (mem- 3,168,095 Patented Feb. 2, 1965 ber 13) is positioned toward the base of the toes, and the largest separating member (member 11) is positioned toward the tip of the toes.

The toe separator is preferably made of polyvinyl chloride, and is soft, with a consistency approximating that of rubber sponge. It may be supplied in any size and number of separating members, and may be cut with scissors to any desired length.

To use the digital separator, it is merely inserted between the IlIOGS with the narrowest separating member 13 placed closest to the base of the toes, and with the curved surfaces of the concave sides 15 bearing against the separated toes. One separator is placed in each interdigital space that is to be separated.

Accordingly, injured toes are separated in such a way as to provide for the free passage of air and light into and through the inter-digital space. Such passage is known to be an aid to healing. At the same time, the digital separator relieves the pressure that adjacent toes would exert on one another.

The digital separator of the present invention has the advantage of being easily removed and reinserted. Accordingly, when patients are required to cleanse the toes (at least three times a day) by wiping with hydrogen peroxide and drying thoroughly, it is an easy matter to remove the separators for the cleaning operation and then replace them.

The separators of the present invention are not limited to use with toes, but may also be used to separate fingers. Wooden, plastic, metal or plaster splints may be placed parallel to the finger axes, and bandages or adhesive tape wrapped in a circular manner around the separated fingers. The fixed position of the fingers holds the separator in place.

In some cases, splints are not necessary, and the fingers may be lightly held with bandages and/ or adhesive tape, and separated by the digital separator inserted therebetween.

The digital separators may also be used when bandages are wrapped around the toes in order to cover inflamed or gangrenous digits.

It is to be noted that the use of the digital separator is not limited to gangrenous situations.

The digital separator of the present invention is inexpensive, is of simple one-piece construction, and is anatomically shaped to fit inter-digital spaces. It may be used either for fingers or toes, and is self-holding, but it may also be used in conjunction with other types of accepted treatment which include the use of splints, ad hesive tape, and bandages.

The fin type construction of the separator provides for the free flow of air in the inter-digital spaces, and also provides for the free flow of a liquid that may be applied to the digits while the separator is still in place. Accordingly, the injured foot or hand may be immersed in a liquid medicine without removing the digital separator.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a pres ently preferred embodiment. Various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of parts. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the subjoined claims.

The claimed invention:

1. A toe separator and the like comprising a plurality of separate parallel separating members in spaced apart being joined at their centers: by a longitudinally extending-connecting member, whereby air may circulate through the space around and between the separate spaced-apart members when the device is Worn. a

2. The toe separator'definedl in claim 1, wherein said separator is madeof polyvinyl'chloride.

4 References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 853,327 5/07 Wall 12881 5 1,205,962 11/16 Arrowsrnith 12881 2,506,308 5/50 Maynier 1288l 2,595,640 5/52 Christopoulos 12881 X 2,628,623 2/53 Reid 128-81 X RICHARDVA. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. 10 ROBERT E. MORGAN, Examiner. 

1. A TOE SEPARATOR AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SEPARATE PARALLEL SEPARATING MEMBERS IN SPACED APART RELATIONSHIP, SAID MEMBERS HAVING INWARDLY CONCAVE OPPOSITE SIDES WHEN VIEWED FROM THE END OF SAID SEPARATOR, THE TRANSVERSE WIDTH OF SAID MEMBERS DECREASING ALONG THE LENGTH OF SAID SEPARATOR , AND SAID SEPARATE MEMBERS BEING JOINED AT THEIR CENTERS BY A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING CONNECTING MEMBER, WHEREBY AIR MAY CIRCULATE THROUGH THE SPACE AROUND AND BETWEEN THE SEPARATE SPACE-APART MEMBERS WHEN THE DEVICE IS WORN. 